Premier white morsels are a baking product made by Nestlé Toll House that can be used in recipes calling for white chocolate or butterscotch morsels. They are small, white confectionery pieces made from a combination of sugar, palm kernel and palm oil, whole milk powder, soy lecithin, and natural vanilla flavor.
What are morsels made of?
Morsels, also known as chips, are made from sweetened chocolate or confections that have been formed into small, bite-sized chunks or drops. The exact ingredients can vary by brand, but most morsels contain some combination of sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, milk or milk powder, and emulsifiers like soy lecithin.
Here are some of the key ingredients commonly found in morsels:
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar or brown sugar provide sweetness.
- Cocoa butter – The natural fat from cacao beans gives chocolate morsels their smooth, creamy texture.
- Chocolate liquor – A thick liquid made from grinding cacao beans. It provides chocolate flavor.
- Milk/milk powder – For milk chocolate morsels, milk is added for extra creaminess and a lighter color.
- Emulsifiers – Soy lecithin helps evenly distribute fat and prevent separation.
- Natural and artificial flavors – Vanilla, peppermint and other flavorings may be added.
In the case of white morsels, they contain no actual chocolate or cocoa products. Instead, they are made from sugar, vegetable oils, milk products, and natural flavors to mimic the flavor and texture of white chocolate.
What do Premier white morsels taste like?
According to reviews, Premier white morsels have a sweet, creamy, and buttery flavor profile. They are said to taste very similar to white chocolate or butterscotch, providing a rich mouthfeel and vanilla/buttery notes. The morsels have a paler beige color compared to real white chocolate.
Some key flavor notes of Premier white morsels:
- Sweet – Canes sugar provides sweetness similar to white chocolate.
- Creamy – The vegetable oils and milk powder create a smooth, creamy texture.
- Buttery – Contains natural butter flavoring for a rich, buttery taste.
- Vanilla – Vanilla extract is added to provide the characteristic vanilla flavor.
The morsels have a consistent flavor and texture when eaten plain or used in baking recipes. They fully melt and incorporate into batters well. The overall flavor profile mimics white chocolate without containing any actual cocoa butter.
How are Premier white morsels used?
Premier white morsels can be used in place of white chocolate or butterscotch morsels in any recipe. They are commonly used in cookies, bars, trail mixes, fudge, baklava, blondies, and more. Some ideas for using Premier white morsels include:
- White chocolate cookies – Substitute 1:1 for white chocolate chunks or chips.
- Blondies – Swap in for butterscotch chips to make vanilla blondies.
- Fudge – Heat and melt into white fudge for a holiday treat.
- Baking mixes – Add to cookie, brownie, cake, or muffin mixes for extra flavor.
- Candy making – Melt and combine with nuts, dried fruit, popcorn or pretzels for sweet clusters.
- Ice cream mix-ins – Drop into ice cream or milkshakes for chunks of flavor.
Premier white morsels can be used melted or frozen solid in recipes. Make sure to store any unused morsels in a cool, dry place tightly sealed. The oils may separate during storage, so massage the bag to re-incorporate before using.
Baking tips
Here are some tips for baking with Premier white morsels:
- Reduce oven temperature by 25°F when using morsels in place of white chocolate.
- Let cookies cool completely before removing from pan so morsels hold their shape.
- Avoid overmixing batters once morsels are added to prevent them from breaking down.
- Scoop dough into rounded mounds on the cookie sheet to create soft, thick cookies.
- Grease the bowl of a stand mixer before adding morsels to prevent sticking.
How do Premier white morsels compare to real white chocolate?
There are some key differences between real white chocolate and confectionery products like Premier white morsels:
| Premier White Morsels | Real White Chocolate |
|---|---|
| – Contain no actual cocoa butter | – Must contain at least 20% cocoa butter |
| – Vegetable oils provide fat and texture | – Cocoa butter provides rich, creamy texture |
| – Artificial flavor | – Natural vanilla and cocoa flavor |
| – Can have trans fats from hydrogenated oils | – All natural fat from cocoa butter, no trans fats |
| – Beige color | – Pure white color |
| – Typically less expensive | – More expensive than morsels |
| – Sweeter flavor | – More nuanced chocolate flavor |
So in summary, Premier white morsels are an affordable white chocolate-flavored baking product made with vegetable oils instead of cocoa butter. They have a similar sweet flavor and texture but lack the true chocolate taste and nutritional value of real white chocolate.
Are Premier white morsels gluten-free?
Yes, Premier white morsels are certified gluten-free, according to the Nestlé product information. They contain no wheat, barley, rye or gluten-containing ingredients. This makes them a good choice for anyone following a gluten-free diet who wants to use a white chocolate-like product in their baking.
It’s always smart to double check the label when purchasing Premier white morsels, as ingredients can change over time. Look for a statement of being gluten-free on the packaging. For very sensitive gluten intolerances, check that the morsels are produced in a facility free of gluten cross-contamination.
Substituting Premier white morsels allows you to convert traditional recipes for cookies, blondies, cakes and more into gluten-free versions. Just swap them 1:1 in place of regular white chocolate or morsels. They perform well in baking and give the same delicious taste and texture to gluten-free treats.
Are Premier white morsels dairy-free or vegan?
No, Premier white morsels are not dairy-free or vegan. They contain milk ingredients in the form of milk powder, a milk-derived product. This means they are unsuitable for vegan diets or people with dairy allergies.
Some key facts about the dairy content in Premier white morsels:
- Contain milk powder as the 4th ingredient
- Milk powder adds creaminess, flavor, and nutrition
- Not suitable for people with milk/dairy allergies
- Cannot be consumed on a vegan or strict plant-based diet
- Ovo-vegetarians can eat them since they contain no eggs
Those seeking a non-dairy white morsel alternative will have to look for specialty vegan white chocolate style chips. Brands like Enjoy Life or Sunspire make dairy-free options using plant oils and non-dairy milk powders.
Always carefully read the label before consuming Premier white morsels if you have dairy dietary concerns. Some packaging may have advisory statements for milk, dairy, or allergen content.
Do Premier white morsels contain palm oil?
Yes, Premier white morsels do contain palm and palm kernel oil. These vegetable oils derived from the palm plant are in the product to provide the fat and texture of the morsels.
Potential issues with palm oils:
- High in saturated fat – More than butter, although trans fat free
- Environmental concerns with palm cultivation
- Not eco-friendly or sustainable ingredient
While the palm oils allow the morsels to have a creamy, smooth texture and long shelf life, some consumers prefer to avoid palm-sourced ingredients for health or environmental reasons. There are some vegan white chocolate-style chips that use alternate oils high in saturated fat.
Are Premier white morsels Kosher certified?
Yes, Premier white morsels are OU Kosher certified according to the product details shared by Nestlé. The Orthodox Union Kosher symbol and marking can be found on certified packages of Premier morsels.
This makes Premier white morsels suitable for those following a Kosher diet in line with Jewish dietary customs. The ingredients, processing, and handling adheres to the strict regulations required for Kosher certification.
Here are some key facts about the Kosher status:
- Carries the OU Kosher symbol on packaging
- Manufactured with Kosher approved ingredients
- Produced under Orthodox Union Kosher supervision
- Adheres to laws of Kashrut for Jewish diets
- Suitable for those keeping Kosher kitchens
As always, one should still read the label and verify the Kosher symbol, as formulations can change. Kosher certification ensures Premier white morsels align with Jewish dietary standards.
Where are Premier white morsels sold?
Premier white morsels can be found at most major grocery stores in the baking aisle, often near the chocolate chips, sugars, flour, and oils. They are widely available at retailers like:
- Walmart
- Target
- Kroger
- Publix
- Safeway
- Stop & Shop
- HEB
- ShopRite
- Wegmans
- Albertsons
Premier morsels come in bags ranging from 10-12 ounce up to bulk 48 ounce sizes. Larger bags are more economical for baking in volume. You can also find Premier white morsels online through grocery delivery services like Instacart and Peapod.
Be aware that while availability is widespread, stock can vary in some regions or retailers. Calling ahead to check inventory is advised if needing a large quantity for baking recipes.
What’s the price of Premier white morsels?
| Size | Average Price |
|---|---|
| 12 oz bag | $2.50 – $3.50 |
| 24 oz bag | $4.50 – $6.00 |
| 48 oz bag | $8.00 – $12.00 |
Pricing can vary depending on the retailer, geographic region, coupons and current sales. Large bulk bags usually offer the best value per ounce. Premier white morsels are typically priced very competitively with other baking morsels and chips.
Coupons are sometimes available directly from Nestlé or found in newspaper inserts, saving up to $1 off one bag. Retailers may also put the morsels on sale during holidays when demand is higher for baking.
Price comparison per ounce
| Brand | Average Price Per Ounce |
|---|---|
| Premier White Morsels | $0.25 – $0.35 |
| Hershey’s White Chips | $0.30 – $0.40 |
| Ghirardelli White Chips | $0.40 – $0.50 |
| Real White Chocolate Bar | $1.00 – $1.50 |
As you can see, Premier white morsels offer savings over other options, making them a budget-friendly choice for baking.
Conclusion
Premier white morsels are a versatile Nestlé baking product that provides an affordable alternative to real white chocolate. They offer a mix of sugar, vegetable oils, milk powder, and flavors that mimics the taste and performance of white chocolate chips. Premier morsels can be swapped into any recipe calling for white chocolate or butterscotch chips with great results and are labeled as gluten-free and Kosher. Just be aware that they contain dairy and palm oil for those avoiding those ingredients. Overall, Premier white morsels give home bakers a shelf-stable, budget-friendly option for making white chocolate-style cookies, bars, candies, and other recipes.
